Bonnie Stern: Winter can be a time to grill

Super Bowl Sunday goes well with the grill

One of the only things that will get me to grill in the winter is the promise of a big juicy steak. But lots of people brave any weather to grill outdoors. Leanne Pepper, general manager of the Faculty Club at University of Toronto, and her husband, Tim Belanger, chef instructor at George Brown College, built an ice bar on their deck last year complete with lights and notches for shot glasses. They invited seven couples to bring their favourite premium vodka and an appetizer to pair with it and kept warm by sampling the vodka outside and eating the apps inside. If you aren’t that adventurous but still crave that grilled steak, follow these tips and try this yummy winter grilling menu. And if you love the idea of an ice bar, but you’re not up to making one yourself, the Faculty Club is doing it this winter with grilled peameal bacon sandwiches and more. Call 416-946-7052 or check facultyclub.utoronto.ca for info.